UCLA researchers say they've found autism gene

North County Times wire services

WESTWOOD - UCLA researchers say they've isolated the likely
location of an autism gene on a specific chromosome, an advance
that could lead to better screenings and possible treatments for
the disease.

The finding, reported in the June issue of The American Journal
of Human Genetics, could also help explain why girls are at lower
risk of developing the disease. The scientists found the gene
contributes to autism only in boys.

Researchers said previous autism studies were unable to locate a
genetic risk factor for the disease because it is believed to be
caused by the interaction of multiple genes and environmental
influences.

The UCLA finding marks the first time geneticists were able to
identify the likely region of a specific autism gene on a specific
chromosome, then duplicate their efforts in a separate population,
according to the university.

The UCLA team is now performing more DNA testing to identify the
gene's specific site on the chromosome.